Page 14 of Reverse Perspective

“That's a load of bullshit and you know it,” he says. “Now, I’ve always kept what you tell me between us. The guys know that I will not tell them anything that you tell me. I will draw this paperwork up but you’re gonna have to explain to me what’s going on.”

“Fine… I am in love with the guys and I’m fucking terrified of getting my heart broken. I won’t survive it. I don’t see a life where it’s possible that not only do I get them, but I don’t have to choose,” I say. “Saturday night I was rudely reminded by Alex that the reason why I am alone is because I don’t put out nor have I ever. This led to the guys admitting that they’ve chased off all of my boyfriends on purpose because I guess I deserve better or whatever. They got me to come out to the living room to watch a movie….”

“What happened?” he asks when I stop talking.

“They have certain things that they do and have done for a long time. Normally it doesn’t bother me but Saturday it did. They’ll either play with my hair, rub my feet, or just have their hands on me in general. It’s been like that since high school,” I say.

“Yeah,” he says, smirking.

“Well… Saturday it got me…. very worked up, so to speak. Dean… he uh… might have gotten me off,” I say, and Todd smirks. “But I freaked the fuck out and ran away. I stayed in my room until this morning.”

“So now you are completely running away by giving away your share and quitting?” he asks.

“I’m also going to get out of the lease and move,” I say.

“You know that running is not gonna help, right?” he asks.

“If I’m not around with them all the time, I can get away from these feelings.”

“I’m sure you could but they’re not gonna let you do this. If you try to move, they’re just gonna move with you. I meant it when I said they were in love with you.”

“I’m not interested in taking that risk,” I say. “I told you, now, please write up the paperwork. I want to give it to them before the meeting so they don’t really have time to argue with me.”

“I don’t think you realize what they will do to keep you from running. They all know this company is your dream,” he says as he pulls his laptop out and opens it.

“I’m not giving them a choice,” I say.

“Good luck with that,” he shrugs. He doesn’t say anything else while he starts typing. A short while later he hits a button on his laptop before setting it on my desk and standing up. “I have a copy for you, them, and me.”

“Thank you,” I say.

I read over the paper, and it is basically just me saying that I am giving them my share of the company to split evenly, and upon their signature, I am giving my immediate resignation. I sign my name on all the copies before standing and walking out of my office.

Todd follows me to Lance’s office where he is sitting at his computer typing. I lay his copy in front of him and step back to let him read it.

Lance sighs and sits back in his seat before looking up at Todd. “Don’t look at him. He’s doing his job. Sign it,” I say.

Lance doesn’t say anything. He simply stands up with the paper in his hand and gently squeezes my shoulder beforewalking out, leaving me to stare at his empty desk. I was hoping he would just sign it, but I was wrong. I stay where I am and a few minutes later Dean and Mason come in when Lance returns. I hand their copies to them before stepping away further.

“Todd, can you shut the door?” Dean asks as he reads the paper.

“You guys have a meeting,” I say, specifying that they do, and I don’t. I’m fully prepared to quit today. I have everything organized to make their lives easier.

Mason grabs the receiver of the phone off of Lance’s desk and puts it to ear before dialing a number. “Hey, Mary. We are supposed to have a meeting at nine with the Board of Investors… Yes, well do you mind letting them know that the meeting has been canceled for today? We will meet with them next week as scheduled… thanks.”

“Mason,” I sigh when he ends the call.

“Sit,” he says.

“No. Just sign the fucking paper,” I snap.

“I’m not signing shit until you explain to me what’s going on, Sadie,” he says.

“Is this about Saturday?” Dean asks, glancing at Todd.

“He knows. He made me tell him before he would write anything up,” I frown.

“So it is about that,” Dean confirms as he steps closer to me.

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